We often her about the drug dealers, street hustlers and members of various gangs, but we rarely get a chance to explore what caused them to head in that direction. Although their actions are not warranted on the streets, their pathways to those actions are often important to understanding why they are involved in their current situations. Their pathway to their lifestyle is critical to understanding how they got to the streets and how to get them off the streets. What circumstances can yield children to a life of crime and violence? What are the core underlying problems in their lives? I believe there are five things that can push a child to a life of crime:

1. Environment- Where a child lives can have a tremendous effect on their access to drugs, gangs, etc.

2. Socio-economic status- Not having enough money for your family is hard and it can tempt children to find “other sources” of income.

3. Lack of programs and social services in their communities- Positive mentoring and educational programs that discourage involvement in the streets are not prevalent enough in urban, inner city communities.

4. Lack of Parents, Single Parents, Bad Parents- Parents play an essential role in the development of children. Not having a strong parental influence is often underrated. This is the second most important factor.

5. Church involvement, church influence- Religion and the “fear of God” is the strongest deterrent to life on the streets. When children understand they are eternally accountable for everything they do, their perspective often changes. This is the most important factor.

These are what I believe to be the core reasons children result to life on the streets. I am not saying these are the only factors, but I do believe they are the most important factors. Although environment and economics has a lot to do with a child’s access to the streets, good parenting, programs, church involvement and mentoring can curve their desire to do so. Will these factors always stop them from getting involved in life on the streets? No. These areas are the strongest in directing their lives though. Some kids realistically go to the streets because that becomes their family, their mentors, their religion, their income, and their survival. We can not assume that every child on the street desired the pathway they are on, we can assume however that someone might not have shown them an alternative.